What a banner year! Having received nearly triple the nominees of any of the previous years, the process to select finalists was a long and arduous task. Many nominees found the checklist to be important and followed it to the tee. Some decided, after reflecting, that perhaps this wasn’t something they really wanted. In any event, all nominees belong to the largest collection of passionate pilot-musicians in the world. A network beneficial for advancing their goals in aviation and music.
Learning to fly is a process that requires dedication, attention to details, follow-up and follow through as well as a huge commitment. A checklist is used by all pilots. It helps one to be accurate, thorough, and safe.
On March 1, six finalists were announced out of the initial eighty-seven nominees. Today we are proud to announce the 2023 FMA Solo recipient, Justin Duval, a high school senior from San Jose, California.
“Much like music, aviation has been a constant obsession of mine, as I aspire to be a commercial airline pilot. At age five, I was given the opportunity to experience flight on United Airlines from San Francisco to Seattle. My obsession with flight began as we boarded the A320. My eyes veered left into the cockpit and excitement rushed over me as I stared at the immaculate array of green and orange buttons.” – Justin Duval
Justin will not only be taking the next step towards his dream job – a commercial pilot – but has also accepted the challenge to encourage all student members to stay engaged with the association and its members. There are many obstacles to navigate throughout academic life and obtaining a dream job. The Flying Musicians association network is vast and prepared to assist.
“I have volunteered at the Hiller Aviation Museum and joined Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Through CAP I have attended a military boot camp, served as my squadrons Aerospace, Admin, and Logistics Officer, and created leadership classes. I am also part of EAA Chapter 62, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the president of my high school’s aviation club. Currently I am studying for the written exam and I plan to begin flight training for my PPL at Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (KRHV) with AeroDynamic Aviation.” -Justin Duval
Read post by Justin Duval and view his profile which includes a very enlightening biography (log in to view). His page and blogs about his flight training will appear at FMAsolo.org.
View and distribute the Press Release
The FMA Solo program was developed in 2015 and has now awarded 15 learn to fly scholarships while also assisting hundreds of student musicians through the fence into the aviation community.
More about the FMA Solo program.
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Congrats Justin!
Thank you Achilles! Best of luck on all your future endeavors, and let me know if I can be of any help!
Congrats Justin, very well deserved!
Thank you very much Mrs. Vickerman!
Welcome to the fold, Justin. You’re in for quite a journey!
Although I relocated to PA decades ago, I used to instruct at KRHV (back when Aerodynamic was called Amelia Reid Aviation). I still get out there occasionally, and hope we can connect on one of my trips. Enjoy both the journey, and the destination.
Thank you very much, I would live to connect with you! I was reading into the history of Aerodynamic aviation and its founder Amelia Reid! It’s quite the story especially considering the caliber of aviators she instructed like Sean Tucker (the Team Oracle pilot) and Roy Machado (renowned aviation author).